Tag Archives: Complacent

When it feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders and our heart is heavy burdened because we’re troubled and feel alone, and it seems like the world is against us who can we call on? God. He hears the prayers of the righteous. He’s always with us.

One of the most difficult things to contend with is not placing judgment when we are going through something. Even more so, one of the greatest challenges we face when in such a predicament is not holding ourselves accountable.

Sadly, people will always and I mean always have an opinion about you. Gossipers will have a field day when you choose not to do what “they” think is best for them and not you. You can never be good enough to do enough to please everyone. Stop trying.

Sometimes we have to look beyond our circumstances to find answers when troubled. It’s not people. We’re fighting against the wrong person. We make the mistake of blaming others for our insecurities. It’s not them. It’s the enemy. If we keep looking for answers from others who will validate our need to be right even when we know we are wrong, then we are looking to the wrong person for a solution to the problem.

Then we begin to isolate ourselves from the very people who can help us. As believers we already know Satan is a liar and the truth ain’t in him. His greatest desire is to isolate you from everyone, even loved ones to get your attention. He wants nothing more than to keep your mind preoccupied on things you know are not of God. Because he knows your comfort zone and he wants you to stay there to keep you from growing.

God desires you grow. But how you can grow if you insist on doing it alone and isolating yourself from the world because you are comfortable. How can you be better if you’re stagnating your own growth? And choose not to change your mindset or way of thinking because you are complacent? How can you do better if you are still doing what’s familiar instead accepting the challenge of becoming better? You can’t be better until you do better.

Fear and faith cannot exist at the same time when you know God. Don’t judge unless you be judged. Surround yourself with the right people. Godly wisdom is the greatest wisdom you can ever have to help you when going through the storm. Take a moment. Sit in silence. Seek God.

Stop relying on other people to validate your existence. Come out of your comfort zone. Choose to be happy. Choose to live to please God. Be not afraid. God is with you. When you find yourself in a predicament that you have no control of, go to God and not other people. If God be for you, he is more than the world against you.

Psalm 27:1 tells us, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” No one or nothing!

Be blessed! – JD

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (ESV)

When we become too comfortable, we become complacent. And may find ourselves losing our voice and our identity. We also will lose focus and take our eyes off God. And will try to work things out ourselves.

When faced with adversity, at times, we find ourselves looking for answers to things we don’t understand. We create logic that makes sense to us and will follow our own plan. And when it doesn’t work out like we want, we blame everyone else; even God.

Sometimes we do things out of desperation because we want immediate results and if it doesn’t work out, we blame God when we suffer. Take this simple word of advice, wait on God. It will work for the greater good.

As for me, I’m not desperate, I’m determined. I won’t be complacent. I’m okay with being uncomfortable. I welcome adversity. What God has for me is for me.

Be blessed! -JD

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)

Fasting and prayer has become a monthly personal devotion for me but in the past sixteen days I participated in my church’s fast with purpose, discipline, sacrifice, and prayer to God seeking transformation, a renewed spirit, and growth. Yesterday was the last day of the fast.

Before I went to bed last night I positioned myself to indulge in sweets and meats as soon as the fast ended. I put a box of Junior Mints on my bed and knew which meat I was gonna eat at 12:01 am. However, I slept through the night, woke this morning and didn’t have a desire for any of it.

I prayed daily making my requests known to God. I may not have seen immediate results of my prayers during the fast but in my obedience, not my sacrifice, I still worshipped God. I learned fasting not only disciplines but it cleanses and removes the desire of a want for what we believe we need when in actuality we don’t. It is just a want.

We sacrifice. We are obedient. But somewhere during all that, we change. I call it growth. We become familiar with the unfamiliar where God moves us from comfortable and complacency out of our comfort zone to growth and transformation. It is what he calls us to do; grow.

Prayers may not yet have been answered and immediate results may not yet have occurred but are already taking place in the spiritual realm. Spiritually, inside we change. We grow. We draw closer to God. Amazing!

Some things will not go out by prayer alone but by fasting and prayer. You may not see change immediately, but something is already happening spiritually. And the breakthrough will not happen until God knows you’re ready for it. It’s coming. Thank you Jesus!

Now I’m ready for what’s next. Transformation before elevation. I hope you are too. Growth. This is what fasting and prayer will do for you.

Fasting and prayer, Transformation; Divine Manifestation!

Be blessed! –JD

Matthew 6:17-18 “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (ESV)

Don’t allow the very thing you let rob you of your future, come back to haunt you from your past in your present. Let it go. Let God. Leave it in the past.

Complacency has always been one of many areas I struggle with in my life. I live in a box where if one thing around me changes, I get stuck staying with that one thing in my refusal to look outside the box of potential advancement where that one thing would lead me. In other words, I close myself off to anything that will require extra work to advance. I become comfortable where I find myself after taking the first step and make the decision to only take the second step if it is easy. Thus, giving up the potential of what’s to come.

I’ve learned through my experiences and something my daughter told me a few months ago that anything worth having won’t be easy and will take hard work. Meaning there will be some challenges that will require an effort on my part.

So, I took that as a lesson learned and am working to let go of complacency and comfortableness. And learn to be open to change and challenges. I say, “When God speaks, listen. You may hear a small whisper. That’s his voice you hear. Listen. Otherwise, he will send someone to advise you of the very thing he tried to tell you, when you chose not to listen.”

When you’re in darkness, Satan is content. He knows what he can use against you to gain victory. Don’t give in. Put on the armor of God. Stand. You’ll have victory. With God, you will win.

After looking at and thinking on these things, I designed a Monday Mantra Memo that says, “Don’t chase something that is not chasing you. Dream chasers follow dreams in pursuit; of excellence. Follow your dreams. Follow that which affords you to become the best you. Become great just as God designed you.”

God gave you many gifts. The greatest gift he gave was Himself to you. He gave you life. There’s no excuse. You now have something to give back to him. The greatest gift you can give to him is you. Use your gifts wisely. Do what he’s called you to do. Glorify God. Don’t become complacent. Serve him in all you do.

Don’t look to man in the process. Look to God. Don’t miss him in the process. It’s all God. For it is not people who will elevate you. God elevates you.

God knows and is with me. He is always thinking of me. If I were to count how much He thinks of me, I would not be able to keep record of it. Therefore, if he can think that much of me, I can’t help but to glorify him in it. As I think of all the wonderful things he’s done for me. I will not become complacent and miss the opportunity. To serve God with the gifts he’s given me. I will honor him in all my doings to please him. Glory!

Aren’t you glad God knows you! I Am!

Be blessed! –JD

Psalm 139:17-18 “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand– when I awake, I am still with you.” (NIV)

Don't ever change yourself to impress someone, cause they should be impressed that you don't change to please others -- When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, always remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test --- Unknown